Non-action

Following the way of "doing by not doing", the way of the Taoist saint, every action is spontaneous and according to nature, not the result of personal prejudice nor of desires nor of intention. Non-action is not idleness or passivity but refraining from acting against the grain and from using force when perception sees that this must fail. In this way all things are allowed to take their natural course. The [Tao-te ching]

advocates this way as that of the ideal ruler who would maintain power and influence in a reign of peace and tranquillity without his people being aware of him at all.